Understanding Equities - Question 79

What is the origin of the stock market terms bear and bull?

In 18th century England, bear skin traders frequently sold their skins before they had actually caught them. “Bears” came to refer to speculators who sold shares they did not own; hoping for a price drop. They would then buy the stock after it had fallen and would immediately sell it for a higher price. Bull probably came to mean the opposite of bear.